Valentine’s Day may be a holiday exploited by consumerism, but us ladies like chocolate, jewelry and flowers, so get on board, fellas. To help you out, I’ve put together a list of 6 categories with about 20 items, plus one bonus suggestion. All are great (if I do say so myself), so your lady will be happy with anything you pick (especially if she forwarded this guide to you). Simply click on the photo and it’ll take you to the items picked (if there’s a category that requires scrolling, press firmly on the arrow so it doesn’t trigger a new window opening — for whatever reason this program is annoyingly sensitive). And ladies, if you’re looking for something nice for your guy, buy them the AirPods Pro or head over to my Men’s Gift Guide from the Holidays
**First Caveat of the post: if your girlfriend, partner or spouse has mentioned a particular purchasable thing in the past 3 or 4 weeks, she doesn’t want anything on this list. She wants the thing she told you about. We don’t mention things without a purpose, but we also want you to think you came up with the idea we planted in your brain instead of telling you outright, so think back and if she’s said, wow, that X is really pretty, she wants X. We’re simpler creatures than you think.**
With that warning, let’s begin.
Le Labo Perfume Discovery Set, $89
True story: went out to dinner with a group of girlfriends and the one sitting to my right smelled amazing. I spent the evening being a weirdo and sniffing her until she told me she was wearing Le Labo The Noir 29, gifted to her by her husband. Why a set if I loved that particular perfume? Because perfume is pretty personal, so let your lady pick a fragrance she loves the most, and then you can buy her a large bottle of the fragrance she loves in the future.
Chocolate Picks
Everybody has chocolate preference. Does she like bar chocolate? Then the K+M ($14.95) collaboration of chef superstar Thomas Keller and Italian olive oil producer Armando Manni is the perfect choice. Into exotic flavors and whimsical presentation? Then she’ll love Vosges Haut Chocolat Exotic Truffle Collection ($48). More of a chocolate box purist? The La Maison Du Chocolat Emotion Milk Chocolate set ($45), with milk chocolate pieces filled traditional ganaches and pralines, is perfect for your person.
Jewelry
Sorry menfolk, but Valentine’s Day and jewelry just go together. Here are a few picks that I love, but you might also want a female opinion — preferably a sister or friend of your significant other — to weigh in. Nothing is CRAZY expensive, because you’d probable want to buy something like that in person.
**Second caveat of this post: unless you are married to your valentine or getting engaged to her on this very Valentine’s Day, DO NOT buy a ring for her. Why? It’s a potential minefield. If you’ve been dating for a while and you get her a ring that isn’t an engagement ring, she’ll probably throw it at you. If you’ve been dating for a little bit, she might interpret it as a promise ring or, alternatively, get freaked out by the ring box before she opens it. If you’re engaged, you JUST got her a ring that’s DEFINITELY better than whatever you bought her for Valentine’s Day. Okay, so maybe we’re a smidge more complicated than I originally suggested.**
Catbird Love Letter ($138) and Gold Pin ($148)
I love this one because it’s so sweet and Valentine’s Day appropriate. It’s a 14k gold love letter that you can personalize with your names. You can certainly also get at a matching bracelet or necklace chain from Catbird, but I also love the idea of pairing it with that 14k gold pin so she can wear it as a brooch.
Mizuki Leather and Pearl Bracelet, $415
I’m totally obsessed with this one. The leather! The pearls! I want it and if anyone knows my husband, you can pass this along to him. Thanks.
Love Robot, $675 and Wishbone Necklace, $1200
Both of these gold necklaces are great. The Love Robot is a bit more quirky, and I think that makes it more special. You absolutely cannot go wrong with that Jennifer Meyer Wishbone Necklace, though. Like the look but not the price? Check out a similar design for $143.
Personalized Silver Bracelet ($300) and Hearts Bracelet ($58)
I love that Atelier Paulin silver name bracelet that is meant to look like rope. I’d love this as a gift, but instead of my name, I’d like each of my kids’ names as a separate bracelet that I could wear together. Next, that heart bracelet is so pretty and so affordable.
Shoes and Bags
Shoes and bags are another one of those gifts that very person-specific. Look in her closet at see what she has and likes. Ask a friend if there’s anything she’s into these days. I’m showing you things I love in a variety in styles and prices in the hopes that your girl and I overlap.
Bottega Veneta The Pouch ($2,700) and Mansur Gavriel Cloud Clutch ($595)
Let’s start with bags because I only have two similar picks here. I’m always looking for a versatile, season-less clutch, and there are two lately that have caught my eye. The first is a very expensive, very in-demand Bottega Veneta The Pouch bag. The second is a more affordable Mansur Gavriel clutch that I like just as much.
Next, we’re going to move on to shoe picks. Unless she specifically asks for something plain, I think you should definitely try to pick something fun for her rather than a plain ol’ boring black pump. Don’t be offended if what you pick isn’t for her, she can just return it and buy something more her. I’ve grouped these heels together in descending price order for you.
Manolo Blahnik 70 Polka Dot Hangisi Pump ($1025) and Jimmy Choo Leather and Glitter Pump ($895)
Now, these two are very expensive picks but you can never go wrong with Manolo or Jimmy Choo. Both are timeless shoes that she can and will wear forever.
Aquazzura Deneuve Pumps ($750) and Tabitha Simmons Erika Pumps ($695)
These slightly more affordable picks are again, timeless and versatile, but interesting enough for a gift.
Loeffler Randall Camellia Knot Mule ($395) and Jeffrey Campbell Valenti Heeled Loafer ($209)
Finally, these two picks are so great and the most affordable. The knotted mule comes in a bunch of colors and heel heights on the Loeffler Randall website, but this floral pattern is just so lovely. I’m especially obsessed with the crystal encrusted heeled loafer, but they’re not going to be for everyone.
Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Flats ($1025) and Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerina ($375)
If your person likes pretty things but prefers flats, here are two for you, again in descending price order. Those Hangisis also come in a flat, and I love the whimsy of this particular pair. Finally, if a monogram is her thing, I LOVE LOVE LOVE those Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerina flats. They can be monogrammed in a variety of colors, so pick her favorite. I particularly love the shoe itself in Rosa, and you can see them in monogrammed form in the featured picture to this post, above.
Dyson Air Wrap ($550)
So, I know the cardinal rule of gift giving to women is NO APPLIANCES, but I think hair appliances are a narrow exception to this. This Dyson AirWrap is a dream of mine that I haven’t purchase because I can’t rationalize it, but if someone bought it for me *hint hint* I wouldn’t kick it out of bed (or the vanity drawer, as the case may be).
Lunya Robe ($248) and Bath Set ($89 and $39):
I asked a friend for suggestions for the list and she suggested this robe. I love this idea, and extra points if you pair it with beautiful bath gift set. Both gift set options come in a pretty box but are at two different price points.
Experience Gift
So, sometimes the best gifts aren’t material at all, but are an experience you give your partner. These types of gifts are so person-specific, but here are some ideas. If your lady is stressed out and overworked by her job or child, send her to her favorite spa (don’t know it? Ask her friends, with whom you will win major brownie points just for being considerate enough to ask them). Does she like theater? Find something she’d like that’s playing near you. The ballet? Take her and try to nap with your eyes open. If you can get away, find a cute B&B and take her away for the weekend since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday.
However, this suggestion comes with the **Final Caveat of the Post: If your girlfriend or spouse has kids, it is imperative that YOU find childcare and not leave it up for her. Scrambling to find a sitter because you planned something is stressful and not fun. Be a hero.**
I hope this guide gives you some ideas. Good luck!
